Suburban priest remembered for prowess with homilies and hockey

A funeral Mass is scheduled Thursday for a former associate pastor at Prince of Peace Parish in Lake Villa who also served several other suburban churches.

The Rev. James Francis Ouletta, who worked at Prince of Peace from 1995 until he retired in 1999, died Sunday at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights. He was 80.

Prince of Peace Deacon Jim Minor said Ouletta's mark on the church as associate pastor can still be seen in a Bible study group the late priest started, which has grown to at least 100 members. Minor said Ouletta also was engaging when he delivered a homily.

"He hooked people so they would listen," Minor said Wednesday.

Ouletta most recently lived at the Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Residence for Retired Priests in Palos Park.

After graduating Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Ouletta furthered his education in Mundelein. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy and religion from University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

One of Ouletta's former seminary classmates who's a retired priest, the Rev. William P. Welsh, remembered his late friend's hockey prowess from their Mundelein days.

"Father Ouletta was a fine ice hockey player and a big organizer of games on the lake at the major seminary," Welsh said in a statement.

The Rev. Cyril Nemecek will preside over the 10 a.m. funeral Mass Thursday at Prince of Peace, 135 S. Milwaukee Ave.

A former seminary classmate, Nemecek said Ouletta "bore the cross of health problems with prayerful resignation."

Minor said Ouletta was a big Chicago Bears fan, and noted his allegiance to the team even when he wore a green vestment - the main color of the rival Green Bay Packers.

Ouletta's career included stops at St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect, St. James Parish in Highwood, Santa Maria del Popolo Parish in Mundelein and St. Dismas Parish in Waukegan. Prince of Peace was his final assignment.

He is survived by nieces and nephews. Ouletta will be buried at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.